Whiskey?

[gregorach]

Dalwhinnie is a very good choice for the beginner. Springbank is also well worth trying - a little more like the Islays, but less full-on. And yes, it really should be watered to taste.

Got a 30yo, single cask, cask strength, non chill filtered Caol Ila on the go

An exceptionally fine choice there! Of all the whiskies I've ever tried, Caol Ila is almost certainly the finest (IMHO) - or at least, the finest you're ever likely to find. I did manage to lay my hands on a superb single-cask Port Ellen once, but they're like hen's teeth...

 

[Jakata]

I have a bottle of Jura Superstition on the go, I generally don't like the peaty whiskies but this is a sort of half way house.

 

[John Fenna]

Laphroiag is the King of Whiskies!
If only I could afford it more often....
Lidls Glen Orchy is fair for its price and better than most blends....

 

[Adze]

Laphroiag is the King of Whiskies!
If only I could afford it more often....

Aye... it can get a bit pricey at that

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-3401.aspx

Do Asda still sell Auchentoshan? It used to be around the £15 a bottle mark, mind that was a few years back now. Very drinkable.

Mind you - Sainsburies own brand Single Highland Malt wasn't much over a tenner either and I'd swear that was identical to the 10y/o Glenmorangie, just half the price! Ideal 'hipflask fodder' as no-one could read the label

 

[JohnC]

I'd suggest Laphroaig, with as much or as little water as you like in it.
Springbank is a nice one too if you're not keen on Islay whisky.

 

[pango]

the average Scottish Whisky. Graham

What is the average Scottish whisky? I've drank whisky for decades but can't say I've come across such a thing. I can only guess it's somewhere between Haig's (or some other gut-rot) and Highland Park (one of a hundred of excellence)!

Bush Tycoon, Two or three of the Irish whiskeys are lovely. The other "whiskeys" are only good for use as toilet cleaners.

If you don't like the taste of "whiskey", then I suggest you get a bottle of Jack Daniels and try to mask it with plenty of Coke or blackcurrant juice.

Or you can try something with a lesser distinctive taste. Smirnoff is good, as that doesn't taste of vodka, and there is a vast selection of alco-pops on the market!

Enjoy!

 

[Asa Samuel]

I can tell you what not to buy, talisker! My favourite whisky by far but it does have a very strong flavour.

 

[Nagual]

Heh, I remember my Grandpa saying if they had wanted more water in Whisky, they'd have added more in when they made it.. the only thing you add to Whisky is more Whisky.


Having said that of course, I can't afford to be a Whisky drinker.. lol


Cheers,

 

[pango]

Laphroiag is the King of Whiskies!

Ah, yes John. The dearly missed poet, Norman MacCaig's favoured tipple.

He was invited to a dinner in his honour by The Scottish Whisky Taster's Association, and awarded lifetime honorary membership of the association, which meant that he would be given 2 bottles of the whisky of his choice each year.

He stepped up to the podium and when the applause died down, said...
"I have enjoyed whisky all of my adult life, and must say that this is very generous of you... to a man of 80!"

He is also reputed to have attempted to negotiate a one off, 10 year settlement of Laphroiag in advance.

 

[John Fenna]

Ah, yes John. The dearly missed poet, Norman MacCaig's favoured tipple.

He was invited to a dinner in his honour by The Scottish Whisky Taster's Association, and awarded lifetime honorary membership of the association, which meant that he would be given 2 bottles of the whisky of his choice each year.

He stepped up to the podium and when the applause died down, said...
"I have enjoyed whisky all of my adult life, and must say that this is very generous of you... to a man of 80!"

He is also reputed to have attempted to negotiate a one off, 10 year settlement of Laphroiag in advance.

Now that is STYLE!

 

[Minotaur]

Heh, I remember my Grandpa saying if they had wanted more water in Whisky, they'd have added more in when they made it.. the only thing you add to Whisky is more Whisky.


Having said that of course, I can't afford to be a Whisky drinker.. lol


Cheers,

Laphroiag is the King of Whiskies!
If only I could afford it more often....
Lidls Glen Orchy is fair for its price and better than most blends....

lol, like your Grandpa, and feel both your pain. How close is Dewars to you Nagual, because I would live on that. Really want to try their single malt, but at £115 the last time I looked, will have to wait.

Never used to like it myself. Then I tried sipping it instead of gulping, made all the difference! Now I cant get enough of the stuff (that sounds awfull doesn't it).

Have found that the better the stuff the longer it takes to drink.

 

[EdS]

Dalwhinnie is a very good choice for the beginner. Springbank is also well worth trying - a little more like the Islays, but less full-on. And yes, it really should be watered to taste.



An exceptionally fine choice there! Of all the whiskies I've ever tried, Caol Ila is almost certainly the finest (IMHO) - or at least, the finest you're ever likely to find. I did manage to lay my hands on a superb single-cask Port Ellen once, but they're like hen's teeth...

Caol Ila - I'll second (or third it).

THe 30 y.o. is a cracking drink.

That said I'd a birthday present of a limited bottling of 7 y.o. Bowmore sherry cask from (Murray Mcdavid bottling) - that is very smooth with a delicate sweet note to it. A really good tipple for beginer or connisure alike. Just right for a gentle unwind in front of the fire at home.

 

[gregorach]

Heh, I remember my Grandpa saying if they had wanted more water in Whisky, they'd have added more in when they made it.. the only thing you add to Whisky is more Whisky.

Well, the standard bottlings add about 30% water to bring it down to the usual 40% (cask strength is typically in 50-60% range), but frankly I'm not interested how "they" want it - I want it how I want it. They only dilute it so far because you can't take the water back out, so they go for the upper end of the strength range.

I have never yet met a serious connoisseur of whisky who didn't water it.

 

[myotis]

What is the average Scottish whisky?

Ah OK, I suppose I meant the sort of blend that some one might get in a pub, or even the typical pub malt of Glen Morangie or Glen Fiddich.

Now of course some pubs do have a much better range than this, and seeing as you are from Fife, I remember buying a nip of a rather nice 21 year old, in a pub in Dunfermline, and there was a pub down the fishing villages that had a massive range of whiskies to try out.

But to most people I suspect Whisky is seen as a slightly harsh, very hot drink, and I have experience of people who didn't like whisky, enjoying Bushmills, hence my suggestion.

However, I would far rather that the tipple of choice for Bush Tycoon was a Scottish Whisky and glad to see alternative suggestions.

Graham

 

[MattF]

I like B.N.J. Bailie Nicol Jarvie its a blend so its not to expensive but I only seem to find it every now and again
I find it quite a mild drink but I have had some bad Whiskey

Matt

 

[locum76]

has anybody mentioned Highland Park yet? It's a very mild/ smooth whisky. A real beginners choice.

As ever though, I stand by Lagavulin as the superior malt.

 

[Jaysurfer]

Don't know if it has been mentioned but....
How about that new English Whisky???
Has anyone tried any? It was plastered all over the news before xmas...
i think they have even sold out of their 3yr old matured stuff until they bottle more at the end of this month.
But interestingly they do sell non matured and 18 month matured also...
The spirit straight out the distillery is completely clear so may have a different tast to it and it's English!!!

 

[gregorach]

Don't know if it has been mentioned but....
How about that new English Whisky???
Has anyone tried any? It was plastered all over the news before xmas...
i think they have even sold out of their 3yr old matured stuff until they bottle more at the end of this month.
But interestingly they do sell non matured and 18 month matured also...
The spirit straight out the distillery is completely clear so may have a different tast to it and it's English!!!

Scotch whisky is also clear from the still, it gets its colour (and a significant portion of the flavour) from the cask it's matured in. You're not legally allowed to call it "Scotch Whisky" unless it's been aged for at least 3 years, and it's rare to see a single malt that's been matured for less than 8 years.

 

[BigM]

If price was no barrier, then it'd be Midleton Very Rare. Had a bottle once (present) but at €150 a bottle, I won't be getting another anytime soon.

Must say I like Talisker too, but it is very flavorsome and not a mild blend that was originally sought.

Reading this has made me want a tipple now and it's only 3o'clock!

 

[Chinkapin]

I'm surprised that someone on here hasn't mentioned the wonderful Canadian whiskeys. I'm not a big whiskey drinker but I like a nip once in a while. Some years ago I noticed that every time I had a drink of Crown Royal (a Bourbon) that my nose almost slammed shut, with some sort of allergic reaction.

I was advised to switch to Canadian whiskeys and I actually found them to be better than Crown, in my book.

It is my understanding that all Canadian whiskeys are blends, of several different whiskeys. This way they can get the flavor they want, the smoothness, etc. I think they are great. Please note that I am not Canadian, and this isn't some nationalistic rant that I'm on. I think they would be great to introduce someone to whiskey. The prices are very nice as well. Canadian Club is not expensive and is excellent. I would assume that these whiskeys are available in the UK.